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Kit & Kaboodle is celebrating its new location on Holden Street.
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Making music at the grand opening.
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The store has small and large items.
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A few Olaf hats are left - there won't be anymore this year.
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For the mother of dragons in your life.

Crafts & Artisan Store Kit & Kaboodle Reopens in North Adams

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
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Kit & Kaboodle held its grand opening on Friday night. The craft and artisan store reopened on Holden Street last month.

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Crafts store Kit & Kaboodle has changed its location but not its commitment to showcasing local talent.

The store's new space at 26 Holden St. displays a wide range of local and regionally made items, from scarves and handmade soaps and scented candles to paintings, carvings and tchotchkes. And owner Carolyn Albert's own crocheted items, including heavy, warm afghans.

"There are a lot of people out there that really love the handmade items," Albert said. "They last longer and they're quality items."

Albert opened last year in the Carlow Building in Adams but was forced to move early this fall when the building was sold. She decided to move north in hope of picking up more foot traffic.

Now she's trying to get the word out that's the store is open and she's still in business — especially some former customers.

"They figured I closed because I'd been closed for two months," she said. "They didn't know I was open."

Kit & Kaboodle reopened in mid-November and held its grand opening on Friday night. Albert spoke during a lull that evening as customers sipped wine as they perused the offerings. Musicians played guitar in the corner.


She said new vendors have joined some her original ones in displaying their wares.

"I have some amazing vendors in here," she said. "If there's anything you're looking for, I'll try to find the vendor that has it."

She also will place orders for customers looking for specific scents in soap or candles, or the right color or size.

The crafts store also offers layaway and club plans, and gift certificates.

Albert has enough vendors keep the shelves stocked but is on the lookout for more merchandise.

"It's comfortable now but I always need more," she said, adding she's open to hosting more Christmas items. "It's still early enough."

Kit & Kaboodle hosts Mr. and Mrs. Santa and an elf on Sunday, Dec. 21, from 1 to 4, with photography services available.


Tags: new business,   artisans & crafters,   reopening,   

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Macksey Updates on Eagle Street Demo and Myriad City Projects

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff

The back of Moderne Studio in late January. The mayor said the city had begun planning for its removal if the owner could not address the problems. 
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Moderne Studio building is coming down brick by brick on Eagle Street on the city's dime. 
 
Concerns over the failing structure's proximity to its neighbor — just a few feet — means the demolition underway is taking far longer than usual. It's also been delayed somewhat because of recent high winds and weather. 
 
The city had been making plans for the demolition a month ago because of the deterioration of the building, Mayor Jennifer Macksey told the City Council on Tuesday. The project was accelerated after the back of the 150-year-old structure collapsed on March 5
 
Initial estimates for demolition had been $190,000 to $210,000 and included asbestos removal. Those concerns have since been set aside after testing and the mayor believes that the demolition will be lower because it is not a hazardous site.
 
"We also had a lot of contractors who came to look at it for us to not want to touch it because of the proximity to the next building," she said. "Unfortunately time ran out on that property and we did have the building failure. 
 
"And it's an unfortunate situation. I think most of us who have lived here our whole lives and had our pictures taken there and remember being in the window so, you know, we were really hoping the building could be safe."
 
Macksey said the city had tried working with the owner, who could not find a contractor to demolish the building, "so we found one for him."
 
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